Stove construction



April 2o, 1954 v H. M. REEVES 2,675,797

sTovE CONSTRUCTION 4 Sheets-Sheet l Filed May 19, 1950 cjlvromhusn/ 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 H. M. REEVES STOVE CONSTRUCTION AApril 2o, 1954 Filed May 19, 1950 f a' )Qeevecs A15/9b f Avromew April 2o, 1954 Filed May 19, 1950 H. M. REEVES STOVE CONSTRUCTION 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 Q-(erbert @eaves April 20, 1954 H. M. REEVES 2,675,797

sTovE CONSTRUCTION Filed May v19, 1950 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 TTORNYJ atented pr. 2l), 1954 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE STOVE CONSTRUCTION Application May 19, 1950, Serial No. 163,048

Claims. 1

The invention relates to improvements in the construction of gas or like cookstoves and more particularly to cookstoves of the type in which the stove body is made up of a plurality of enameled sheet metal panels carried by a rigid chassis or frame. i

One object of the invention is to provide a construction which materially reduces the time and labor required for assembling the stove body.

Another object is to provide a stove construction in which the various panels of the stove body are designed for assembly with the frame in a predetermined sequence and in whichthe later assembled panelseffectively lock previously assembled panels in place on the frame.

A more speciiic object is to provide a stove construction in which the various panels are attachable to the frame by cooperating fastening elements engageable simply by shifting the panels edgewise relative to the frame, thus eliminating theneedV for bolts or screws to maintain the parts in assembled relation.

Still another object is to provide fastening means for attaching panels to a stove frame which is simplel in construction, quick and easy acting andy which is capable of v holding the parts securely in place after assembly.

Other objects and advantages of the invention Will become apparent from the following detailed description of the preferred embodiment illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a perspective VView of a stove frame and panel assembly embodying the features of the invention;

Fig. 2 is an exploded front View of the frame and panel assembly constituting thev stove body;

Fig. 3 is a perspective of one of the end panels as viewed from its inner side;

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary side View of the lower part of the stove body showing the interlocking engagement between an end panel and the base portion of the frame;

Fig. 5 Vis a. sectional View taken in the vertical plane substantially on the line 5--5 of Fig. 4;

Fig. 6 is a sectional View through the top and one end panel of the stove taken in a vertical plane substantially on the line 6-6 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 7 is a fragmentary perspective View, partly in, section, showing details of a part of the fastening means for attaching the top and end panels to the stove frame.

Fig. 8 is a fragmentary sectional view through the top and front framermember of the: stove body takenlin a vertical-plane substantially on the line 8-810i Fig. 1; Y

Fig. 9 is a sectionalviev/ taken in a horizontal plane substantially on the line 9-9 of Fig. 8-;

Fig. 10 is a fragmentary sectional View through the rear portion of the top panel and the stove frame taken in a plane substantially on the line lll-Iil of Fig. l;

Fig. 11 is a sectional view taken in offsetplanes substantially on the line lI-ll of Fig. l0; and

Fig. 12 is a sectional view taken in a horizontal plane substantially on the line I2-l2 of Fig. ll.

While the invention is susceptible of various modications and alternative constructions and uses, I have shown in the dravving'and Will here'- in describe in detail one embodiment of the invention. It is to be understood, however, that I do not intend to limit the inventiony by such disclosure, but aim to cover all modications and alternative constructions and uses falling-Within the spirit and scope ofthe invention as expressed in the appended claims. v

For purposes of illustration, the invention has been shown as applied to the oonstructionrof a stove body i5 for a table top gas cookstove. As herein shown, the body 'l5 comprises a rigid, generally rectangular frame IB closed at opposite ends by end panels Il and at the top by a top panel i8. An upright back guard panel ISLexjtends along the rear edge of the stove top. The panels il, I8 and I9 which are commonlyv made `of sheet metal such as steel, and other exposed parts of the stove, are usually finished with a coating of viterous enamel.

In the exemplary stove, therframe IEil is constructed of sheet metal stampings Welded or otherwise permanently secured togetherY to form a light Weight, rugged structure. in general' the frame comprises a front frame member 20 (Figs. l and 2) extending the fullzwidth of theY stove and a similarly dimensioned rear member ^Z`l (Fig. l0) connected at opposite ends adjacent their upper edges by end members 22 (Figs. 6-8 and 10') and adjacent their lower edges by end members 23 (Figs. 1, 4 and5). The latter end members, together with a front memberZ'' (Figs. l and 2) and a rear'member (not shown): constitute the base of the stove body.

1n accordance with the invention, the end,` top and back guardy panels il, it and I9 and the framelli, are constructedand arranged so that the panels may be attached to thel frame` by a simple edgewise sliding movement. Moreover.; the construction provides for. assembly of the: panels with the frame in a predeterminedI sequence with the panels so related to each other that,` each.y of them except the last is positively locked place on the frame. More specifically stated, the arrangement is such that the end panels Il which are rst assembled with the frame by an edgewise movement, as above stated, are positively locked in place upon assembly of the top panel i8 with the frame. The top panel I8, in turn, is positively locked in place by assembly of the back guard panel i9 with the frame.

To provide for assembly of the panels with the frame in the above manner, cooperating fastening means are provided thereon. Such fastening means may be of any preferred construction embodying elements adapted to be engaged by relative movement of one element relative to the other. In the exemplary stove body, the frame-is provided at each end with fastening elements 2G' (Figs. 6 and '7) and 2l (Figs. lll-l2), which serve Y additionally as supporting and guiding means for the panels, as will appear presently. in the present instance the elements 2S are located adjacent the front of the frame, one at each side, and the elements 2l are located at the rear of the frame.

As herein shown, the fastening elements 26 which are alike, each comprises an L-shaped bracket having one leg disposed horizontally and secured to the top of the frame l as by stove bolts 23. The other leg of the bracket extends upwardly substantially in alinement with the end of the frame and its end portion is slotted to provide upstanding parallel fingers 29 and 36. The finger 29 is somewhat shorter than the companion iinger and its intermediate portion is bent so as to onset the free end of the linger outwardly, as shown in Figs. 6 and 7.

As will be seen by reference to Fig. 10, each of the fastening elements 27 comprises an angular sheet metal stamping having its lower end portion 3i (Figs. 10 and 1l) secured to the upper end of one of the diagonal braces 25 as by stove bolts 32. An intermediate portion or web 3S extends generally upwardly and rearwardly from the end 3l and terminates in an upright upper end 4portion S. In the illustrative embodiment, a section 3E of the web 33 is bent over at an angle so as to locate the upper end 3e of the element and the adjacent portion of the web 33 in inwardly olfset relation to the lower end 3l of the element (see Fig. l1)

The forwardly facing edge of the web 33 is formed with a series of fingers or extensions, three in the present instance, for cooperation with the end and top panels of the stove body. One extension 39 is located adjacent the lower end 3l of the element and is extended vertically upwardly in the same plane as the end, Vto serve as a support and guide for the end panel Il.' The other two extensions, 36 and Si, are formed on the upper or offset part of the web 33 and extend generally forwardly. As shown in Fig. l0, the eX- tensions 36 and 3l are separated by an arcuate slot 38 adapted to receive a part of the top panel I8 and thus enable the extensions to restrain the top panel against up or down movement, as will be described presently. Y Y,

Additional fastening means for the end panel I'I include hook elements herein shown as forwardly bent lugs i0 (Figs. 8 and 9) on the outwardly turned iianges 4l provided at opposite ends ofthe front frame member 20. As shown in Figs. l and 5, each of the base Vmembers 23 is provided with a pair of .spaced upwardly opening pockets 42 formed by striking in a section of the member so as to define a horizontal ledge or abutment t. The portion of the Vmember between the pockets 42 is slotted and then turned outwardly asgatjl Vto afford accessY to the pockets.

Referring now to Figs. 3-8, the end panels I1 are alike except that they are reversely shaped for the right and left-hand ends of the stove body. Each panel has an inwardly turned flange 45 extending entirely around its peripheral edge. The marginal edge portion :l of the flange along the upper edge of the panel is turned downwardly and adapted to hook over the upstanding linger 29 of the fastening element 26 and over the extension 39 of the fastening element 2l. Likewise, the marginal edge portion 47 of the front flange 45 is turned rearwardly for hooking over the lugs il? on the front frame member 29, as shown in Figs. 8 and 9. The bottom flange 45 of the panel has the central portion of 'its marginal edge turned downwardly to form an elongated tongue 48 adapted to fit into the pockets Q2 as shown in Figs. 4 and 5. With this arrangement each end panel Il may be attached to the stove frame I6 by simply locating it closely adjacent the end of the frame and then shifting it edgewise downwardly to inter-engage the fastening elements above described.

The top panel it is generally rectangular in form and is provided with suitable openings for the burner boxes in which the stove burners are located in the fully assembled stove. The particular stove illustrated is of the so-called divided top type having a burner box at each end and accordingly two similarly spaced openings 50 are provided in the top panel, as shown in Fig. 1. In practice the burner boxes are formed with a bottom wall 5l (Fig. 8) in the form of a metal plate welded or otherwise rigidly attached to the top of the stove body IB. In the present instance the walls 5i are extended forwardly of the frame to form overhanging shoulders 52 for locking engagement with the top panel i8, as will be described presently.

At its front edge the top panel i8 is formed with a relatively wide depending ange 53 and at the side edges with depending flanges 54 which at the front are of the same width as the flange 53, but which are substantially narrower throughout the major portion of their length. rlhe front flange ,53 serves as a closure for the burner boxes and intermediate portion of the stove and is suitably aperturedvto provide clearance for the burner valves and other controls. At its rear edge the panel i8 is formed to provide a flat base 55 (Fig. 10) spaced upwardly from the plane of the panel for cooperation with the back guard panel i9. The front wall 56 of this base portion merges with the body of the panel in a gently rounded curve, as will be seen in Figs. 1 and 10.

h1 the preferred form of the stove body illustrated, the side flanges 5e ofthe top pane1 are shaped for cooperation with the fastening elements 26 and 2l heretofore described and to dene abutments enective to restrain the end panels il against movement either `forwardly or upwardly. For this'purpose the wide and narrow sections of the flange 5d are'joined byanA upwardly sweeping curved portion 5l which serves 'as an abutment for the complementally lshaped Vupper end of the panel li. The'lower orfree edge portion 58 of eachl vof the ange's-4` is turned inwardly and when assembled with the other parts of the stove'body, is adapted to Vco panel is formed adjacent the front edge of the panel with a depending tongue 60 (Figs. 6 and 7) adapted to be entered between the flange 46 of the end panel I1 and the upright linger 3B of the associated fastening element 26. Adjacent the rear of the top panel each of the flange portions 58 is formed with a second depending tongue 6I (Figs. 10 and ll) adapted to bear against the web 33 of the fastening element21. The tongues and fastening elements are thus effective to accurately locate the top panel with respect to the stove frame and to restrain it against lateral movements relative to the frame.

To secure the top panel I8 against vertical movements relative to the frame, the flange portions 58 are formed adjacent the rear of the panel with inwardly projecting lugs 82 (Figs. -12) adapted to be inserted between the extensions 36 and 31 of the fastening elements 21. Engagement of the lugs between the extensions is effected by placing the top panel upon the stove frame with the lugs 62 at the mouth of the slot 38 and then shifting the panel rearwardly. Such rearward movement is also utilized to secure the front end of the panel to the stove frame by entering the inturned edge portion 63 (Fig. 8) of the front flange 53 below the shoulder 52 defined between bottom walls 5I of the burner box.

The rearward or fastening movement of the top panel I8 above described, brings the curved section 51 of the flange 58 into engagement with the complementally shaped flanges of the end panels I1, thus effectively locking the end panels against forward movement. As the flange portions 58 of the top panel overlie the tcp flanges 45 of the end panels, the latter are also positivelt7 locked against upward disengaging movements. Thus the later assembled top panel I8 serves to positively lock both of the previously assembled end panels Il to the stove frame.

The back guard panel I9 may be of any preferred construction, the present invention being concerned primarily with its mounting on the stove frame. As shown in Figs. l and 2, the guard panel comprises aY sheet metal stamping having a generally upright front face 65 with a rearwardly turned flange 66 extending around its top and side edges. The lower end cf the panel stampingis shapedand dimensioned to lit tightly against the base 55 provided for it on the top panel I8.

For attaching the back guard panel I9 to the stove frame, two., mounting brackets are rigidly secured within the panel structure, each presenting a downwardly directed fastening element or prong B1 (Figs..2 andlO-lZ). The prongs 51 are alinedwith openings 68 in the base wall 55 of the top. panel, which openings are disposed directly above the end portions 3d of the fastening elements 21. Those end portions 3d have their side edges 68 bent inwardly to form channel-like guides or sockets for the reception of the prongs 61. Preferably the sockets are dimensioned for a snug lit with the prongs whereby the top panel is held securely in place. The lower ends of the prongs may be bent inwardly as shown in 1Fig. ll, to facilitate their engagement in the sockets.

With the above arrangement the back guard panel I9 may be attached to the stove frame I8 by simply inserting the prongs E1 lthrough the opening S3 in the top panel and then shifting the guard panel downwardly to engage the prongs 61 in the sockets formed by the elements 34. The frictional engagement of the prongs and sockets is sumcient to hold the guard panel securely in place. It will be apparent that the insertion of. the prong 61 through the opening 68 of the top panel will effectively lock the top panel against a forward disengaging movement, thereby securely locking the panel in assembled relation with the stove frame.

It will be apparent from the foregoing that the invention provides a stove body of novel and advantageous construction which can be assembled very quickly and with a minimum of labor. The end panels I1 may be attached to the stove frame I5 by simply placing them against` theends of the frame and then shifting them edgewise in a downward direction. This engages the upper anges 46 of the panels over the fastening element lingers 29 and over the extensions 39. It also engages the front flanges 41 over the lugs 40 and enters the tongues 48 in the pockets 4,2.

Top panel I8 is then attached by initially placing the panel so that the lugs t2 line up with the notches 38 in the fastening elements 21 and then shifting the panel edgewise rearwardly of the stove frame. The lugs 82 are thus wedged between the extensions 35 and 31 and the front flange 63 is engaged under the shoulder 52 at the front of the frame. When so assembled the side anges 53 of the top panel bear against the top anges 45 of the end panel I1 and positively lock them against an upward disengaging movement. Moreover, the rounded shoulder portions 51 of the flange 58 abut against the co-mplementally shaped shoulders on the end panels and effectively restrain them against forward movement.

The final step of the assembly, namely, the installation of the back guardpanel Iii, is effected by inserting the prongs El through the opening E8 in the top panel and forcing the guard panel downwardly to engage the prongs in the channellike sockets 58. The prongs thus thus hold the guard panel securely in place and additionally positively lock the top panel `against a forward disengaging movement. Thus a rigid and permanent assembly of the body 'is effected very quickly and without requiring the use of bolts, screws or snnilar fasteners.

The fastening means discerned in the present instance present denite advantages from the standpoint of low cost and ease of assembly and Vrepresent thepreferred form. it will be appregenerally rectangular frame, a top panel closing the top of said frame, means for attaching the top panel to the frame including cooperating fastening elements on the panel and frame engageable by a rearward movement of the top panel relative to the frame and effective when engaged to restrict the panel solely to forward movement, a back guard panel extending along the rear edge of said top panel, and means for attaching said back guard panel to the frameincluding prong elements on the panel and cooperating socket elements on said frame engageable by a downward movement of the panel relative to the frame, said top panel having a portion underlying said back guard panel formed with apertures through which the prong elements on the back guard project to prevent a forward disengaging movement of said top panel.

2. A stove body comprising, in combination, a generally rectangular frame, side panels removably mounted on the frame, a top panel closing the top of said frame and operative to lock said side panels to the frame, means for attaching the top panel to the frame including cooperating fastening elements on the top panel and frame engageable by a rearward movement of the top panel relative to the frame, a back guard panel extending along the rear edge of said top panel, and means for attaching said fback guard panel to the frame including cooperating prong and socket elements on the back guard panel and frame respectively engageable by a downward movement of the back guard panel relative to the frame, said top panel having a portion underlying said back guard panel and extending over the socket elements on the frame, said underlying portion or" the top panel having openings alined with the socket elements for the passage of the prong elements on the back guard panel whereby the latter elements are enabled to effectively lock the top panel in assembled relation with the frame.

3. A stove body comprising, in combination, a generally rectangular frame comprising front and rear frame members, upper and lower cross members connecting said front and rear frame members at opposite ends, closure means for opposite ends of said frame, each of said closure means comprising a sheet metal panel having an inwardly and reversely turned ilange extending along its front and top edges and an inwardly turned flange terminating in a downwardly directed tongue extending along its lower edge, hook elements formed on said front frame members for cooperation with the reversely turned portions of the front flanges of the panels, upwardly opening pockets formed in the lower cross members of the frame for the reception of the tongues on said panels, and fastening elements mounted adjacent the ends of said frame for cooperation with the reversely turned portion of the top anges of the panels, said anges being engageable with said hook elements and said fastening elements and said tongues being engageable in said pockets by downward sliding movements of the panels relative to the frame.

4. A stove body comprising, in combination, a generally rectangular frame, end panels adapted to close opposite ends of the frame, fastening means including upper and lower elements on each panel and complemental upper and lower elements on said frame engageable by downward movements of the panels relative to the frame securing the panels tothe frame and acting when engaged to restrict them solely to upward movement, a top panel adapted to fit over the top of said frame, fastening meansat opposite sides V of said frame each including a member dening upstanding ngers spaced apart to receive a foreand-aft flange depending from the top panel to guide the same for movement relative to the frame in a front to rear direction, a back guard panel adapted to extend along the upper rear edge of said frame, and fastening means including depending prongs adjacent opposite ends of said back guard panel and complemental socket elements on said frame engageable by a downward movement of the back guard panel relative to the frame, said prongs when engaged in said sockets coacting with said top panel to block the same against movement either forwardlyror rear.- wardly and thereby positively lock the top and end panels in assembled relation with the frame.

5. A stove body comprising, in combination, a generally rectangular frame, end panels for opposite ends of the frame, fastening means including upper and lower elements on the end panels and complemental upper and lower yelements on the frame engageable by downward movements of the end panels relative to the frame to secure said end panels to the frame, a top panel for said frame, fastening means including elements adjacent opposite ends of said top panel and complemental elements on said frame engageable by a rearward edgewise movement of the top panel relative to the frame to securethe top panel to the frame, said top panel defining albutments cooperative with complemental abutments on the end panels to restrain said end panels against upward disengaging movements, a back guard panel adapted to extend along the upper rear edge of said frame, and fastening means including prongs on said back guard panel and complemental socket elements on said frame engageable by a downward movement of the back guard panel relative to the frame, the prongs on said back guard panel when engaged in the sockets on the frame cooperating with said top panel to restrain it against a forward disengaging movement.Y f Y Y Y v References Cited in the leof this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name DateA 1,967,257 Pickup July 24, 1934 2,019,045 Chafee Oct. 29, 1935 2,140,408 Sherman Dec. 13, 1938 2,161,537 Stockstrom June 6, 1939 2,258,489 Grindle Oct. 7, 1941 2,295,915 Ring Sept. 15, 1942 2,302,984 Tollzien Nov. 24, 1942 2,335,279 Hobson Nov. 30, 1943 2,453,832 Dadson Nov. 16, 1948 v2,467,290 Belsky Apr. 12, 1949 2,485,359 Cook Oct. 18, 1949 

